Air Purifier GO!

See larger image Austin Air HealthMate - Sandstone () List Price: $449.99 USD New From: $436.94 In Stock

• What are the best options for allergy sufferers?

• Is your home sealed up properly?

• Find out about whole house allergy air purifiers!

If you suffer from a dust or pollen allergy, air purifiers are definitely an option that you should be taking a close look at. Even so, before you get started comparison shopping, there are a few things that you need to know. Things that can make all the difference in how you feel.

Dirty air duct - Before/After

Here's Something to Consider!

For instance, have you ever considered having your central air conditioning duct-work cleaned? If your home and its system is more than a few years old, the air lines in the attic may be caked with dust and fibers. It's also a relatively inexpensive job to have done.

One More Place to Block Out the Air Pollution

Another thing that you will want to look into is having your exterior doors sealed up. All it involves, is screwing or nailing a door brush on the bottom of each door to close up the open air passageway that may exist there. These two items are very crucial!

Allergy Air Purifiers and Their Numbers

You see as you compare allergy air purifiers, your going to be faced with several numbers. All of these numbers square footage ratings, etc. have to do with how well any unit processes air. The manufacturers basically speak in terms of how large and how many rooms any given unit can handle.

Any Sized Unit May Not Be Enough

What virtually all of them fail to mention though, is that if your home is unsealed or has a dirty AC duct-work, any unit of any size may not be enough. After all, it takes couple of hours at least for the air in a room to be thoroughly processed even in the best of conditions.

What About a Whole House Unit?

So now on to actual allergy air purifiers and what may work best for your particular condition. To begin with, have you considered a whole house unit? One that connects up directly to your AC duct-work and handles the air in your entire home? Honeywell has several to select from and their cheapest model only costs a little over $100.

The Honeywell F500 whole house model

The Honeywell F500 Whole House Model

Their most expensive model the F500 costs upwards of $800 to $900, depending on options but if you do the math, it's still most likely a cheaper option than buying more than one unit for handling more than one room in your home. Also one large allergy air purifier means that you don't have several dirty filter to mess with.

A Big Heavy Duty Workhorse

So then, what if your allergies are extreme and you don't want to go through the hassle of having a whole house unit installed? In this case one model worth looking into is the Austin Air Healthmate. It's not a cheap unit but it is rated to process up to a full 1300 square feet of floor space.

One of the Biggest and Best Portable Allergy Air Purifiers

That's not all because this particular allergy air purifier is a veritable air pollution gathering beast. It features a four stage filter system that weighs some thirty pounds. This monster filter actually contains some 15 pounds of activated charcoal and get this. It only has to be changed once every five years.

See larger image Oreck XL-Air Purifer Tower, Black (Health and Beauty) New From: $369.95 In Stock

• Free 30 day trial period

• They can be laid on their side

• 3 & 5 year guarantees
  

If you've been watching TV over the past ten years then you no doubt have heard of the Oreck air purifier. In fact this one firm alone is responsible for introducing more people to ionic air cleaning technology in their adds than any other company out there.

Have You Seen an Oreck Air Purifier on TV?

Even so, there two traits that I've found that all air purifier companies have in common that have been heavily advertized on TV. That is that these heavy TV advertisers tend to have a limited line of rather expensive machines and Oreck is no exception.

If you're looking for convenience features, none of their three models of ionic air cleaners have any, so to speak. In fact, aside from what they call “Truman Cell” bacteria killing technology these are basic three speed on and off machines. No timers, remote, etc.

What's Truman Cell Technology?

Simply put, Truman Cell Technology is the same ionic technology that all ionic air cleaners use to trap ambient air particles. The airborne bacteria is charged and then sticks to the collection plates and dies. It's really nothing more than that.

You see, the little known truth of the matter, is that recent studies have demonstrated that bacteria gathered in all ionic air cleaners tends to die shortly after being deposited on collection plates. Hence; in general terms, all ionic machines operate with Truman Cell Technology.

However; before you click your mouse and move on to review another brand, there are two items worth mentioning that you just don't see in Oreck's competitors. It's very odd too because neither is difficult to offer or any type of earth shaking technology.

Free Thirty Day Trial Period

The first item is a no questions asked, thirty day trail period on all three Oreck Air purifiers. The nice thing about it too, is that they'll even pay the shipping fee if you send yours back. Now in my mind this makes a lot of sense to a person who's curious about ionic technology. It gives them an out.

The second item worth mentioning, is that two of their three models, the ProShield and the ProShield Plus are designed to stand on their own or lay on their side. Once again, this isn't earth shaking technology but it sure is nice for someone who wants to place their machine on a shelf.

The Oreck Pro Shield Air Purifier

The base model Oreck Air purifier is called the ProSheild and it lists on their site for 349.95. (let's call it $350). It features three air speed settings, including a fourth that's referred to as a silence setting. This no doubt allows you to run the machine with no fan.

Now it is a vary nicely designed unit and I can see how someone might want to lay it on its side on a shelf. It has a sleek black look to it. Even so, its specs list it as being able to recirculate the air in a 12' X18' room only twice every hour, so the room size rating is a bit exaggerated. It does come with a three years guarantee.

The Oreck ProShield Plus Air Purifier

The next Oreck air purifier up from there, is the ProShield Plus. It lists on their company site for $399.95 (let's call it $400) and it really is basically an enhanced version of the ProSheild. It's the exact same machine with one added feature, so it too can be laid on its side too.

That one added feature is what Oreck calls their Permanent Helios Shield. (I Like that name). It's basically a UV lighting system located in the machine, that sterilizes the air that passes through it. By the way UV lighting is quite common now, on both ionic and hepa filter air purifiers.

Now I do have one complaint here though and that is they advertise what is basically a UV lighting system as never having to be replaced, which is true “in effect”. However; what they don't tell you is that the mercury vapor lamp that powers it will lose half its strength in five years. It wont burn out though. Same 3 year warranty.

The Tower Model Oreck Air Purifier

Next up is their top model. The Oreck air purifier they call the Oreck Tower. It lists on their company site for $599.95 (let's just call it $600) which is a heck of a lot of money for an air purifier. This one does have a couple of added features and it also is quite nice looking but I have just one problem here.

That problem is that on their site, they show it as being able to clean 900 square feet per hour. Now isn't that the same as 1800 feet every two hours? Now I'm not very good at math but that seems awful close to the what the above two models listed clean. A 12' X 18' room every two hours. Am I being picky here?

There's also no “Permanent Helios Shield” in this model but you do get a “turbo” option on the fan switch. (I just love the names they use). You also get two more years on the five year warranty, which is nice but in the end I really do think that for $600, there's better deals out there.

See larger image HealthMate HM400 Air Cleaner from Austin Air (Kitchen)

Just whats so different about the Austin Air Healthmate?

• How about a unique four stage filter?

• How about a free 30 day trial period?

• How about a whopping 15 pound charcoal filter?

The Austin Air Healthmate series, if you can call two duplicate machines a series, really does appear to be a breath of fresh air. (pardon the pun) You see in all the years that I've been researching and reviewing consumer products, I have noticed an all too familiar pattern.

Finally a Truly Different Air Purifier

That is that each new brand and their lineup of models all too often seems to be just a reshuffling of the deck. That all the competing brands really resembled one another in their functions and features far more than they differ. Different prices and different shapes but basically the same offerings in different packages.

The Total Simplicity of the Austin Air Healthmate

So it sure is nice to see an air purifier like the Austin air line that truly has something new and interesting worth reading about. At the same time, these head turning machines offer not one convenience feature option. In fact all you get is a big black knob to turn it on and adjust the flow rate with.

You Do Get to Choose Your Color Though

Sound enticing? Hardly not! Just keep on reading though because it gets real interesting from here. Also before I get into the technical end of things, I might as well give you the desert first. That is that this company is the only one that I know of that lets you choose what color you machine is.

Don't Call Your Interior Decorator Just Yet

You get to pick from a selection of sandstone, black, white, silver, and midnight blue. Now before you get all excited and call your interior decorator I might as well tell you now that these machine have all the designer cache as your average kitchen garbage container. They're basically rectangular boxes on a set of wheels. With a knob on it.

Now Who Else Offers Color Choices??

So the think tank that came up with the concept of the Austin Air Healthmate has left their competition in the dust as far as color choices are concerned but there has to be more to it than that. After all they have to offer something, just in case someone decides to turn theirs on. Something more than a knob on the side.

Count Em! - A Four Stage Filter System

They do and would you believe that these machines actually operate with a four stage filter system. That's right! While all their competitors were busy gloating over their three stage filter systems, the folks at Austin Air snuck another fourth stage onto theirs. Sheer genius! What brazen individual though of going beyond three stages??

An Arm Bending 15 Pounds of Activated Charcoal

It doesn't end there though because their third stage in this four stage system, is a carbon filter that contains a full 15 pounds of activated charcoal. You read that correctly! That's a whopping 15 pounds of gas trapping activated charcoal in one filter system! Here all the while the other companies had you so impressed with their whimpy disposable carbon infused blankets.

A Full 60 Feet of Medical Grade Hepa Filter - Pleated of Course

Now if that sounds impressive then read on because the fourth stage of this four part filter system, is a medical grade hepa filter (traps germs and viruses) that's a full 60 feet long. The way that they fit 60 feet of hepa filter into the machine is by pleating it. It's arranged in a folded framework.

So Just What Does a Large Particle Filter Catch??

Now of course there are to more stages to this filter system on steroids and the first one is what they call a “large particle filter”. It filters out large particles, (as its name suggests). The second filter in the four stage system is a medium particle filter. It filters out medium particles, (as its name suggests).

An Air Purifier With a 1500 Square Foot Rating?!?

It's all just too sensible! So now you're probably wondering how many square feet this unit is rated for and the fact it has a massive 1500 sq foot rating. The Austin Air Healthmate is also rated for 250 square feet of air per minute when its turned up to its highest setting.

How Much Pollution is in Your Square Feet Anyway?

If you stop to think about it square footage ratings really are a bunch of hot air. (pardon the pun). This is because they completely fail to take into account how much actual air pollution and dust is being generated in a home or business. That's what really matters!

So how many sq feet is your machine rated for??

Just Like Ordering Drinks at Burger King

Now that 250 square feet of air rating only counts for their large Austin Air Healthmate. You see I completely failed to mention that they're the only company that offers their air purifiers in “large and small models” No confusing model code numbers. Just large and small. It's just all too simple! I love it!!

A 30 Day Money Back Trial Period

So now you're wondering if this all sounds “too crazy”. After all, like the old adage goes, “if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is”. Well not to worry because the makers of the Austin Air Healthmate offer a complete 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee. If you don't like it just send it back!

Not Really the Cheapest Machines Out There

The one catch is that these machines really are not your most affordable option. The larger model sells for around $500 and the Austin Air Healthmate Junior retails in the area of $350. There is just one thing to consider though and that is that the filters on these machines are guaranteed to last 5 years, which saves you heck of a lot of money of filters.

Breaking the Air Filter Habit - Just Say No!

By the way, while were on the topic of filters, I might as well inform you that filter purchases are one of the biggest scams running today. Go ahead and do the math on what replacement filters will cost you on a cheaper competing model and I wouldn't be at all surprised if it adds up to some $300 over a five year period.

Fan and Motor:

Centrifugal fan 3 Speed control switch
Motor type: permanent split capacitor, rated for continuous high RPM , long life duty
Power rating: 1.3 amps, 120 volts
115 Watt power consumption at Max setting
CSA, UL and CE approved
Five year warranty (parts & labor)
Fan: 400cfm on max setting: rated for up to 1500 ft.
Fan Rating: 400cfm on high setting: cleans a room area of up to
1500 sq ft

Filter Assembly:
Weight: 23 lbs
14.5" height 13.5" diameter
60 sq. ft. true HEPA medical filter
15 lbs mix of solid activated charcoal & zeolite

See larger image Honeywell 50250 99.97% Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier (Kitchen) List Price: $210.99 USD New From: $156.41 In Stock Used from: $155.00 In Stock Release date September 15, 2005.

• Consistent 5 star Amazon reviews

• Models in a wide range of prices & sizes

• Impressive sq foot and CADR numbers
  

It's a fact that more doctors recommend the Enviracaire air purifier to their patients than any other brand. Now no doubt you've heard that line of BS before but this time it's true. It was determined in an AQS survey of physicians that was conducted back in November 2005. AQS stands for Air Quality Systems. It's an air quality data repository,maintained and operated by the U.S. Environmental Agency. The EPA

Just What is it that's So Impressive About the Line?

So then let's take a look at this machine that comes in a few separate models to see if we can find just what it is that turned so many doctors heads. Medical professionals who's job it is to seek out only the best that is out there to treat their patients with. Men and women with analytical minds that are far less likely to be swayed by glitz and hype than your average consumer.

Five Stars for Honeywell Enviracaire Air Cleaners

By the way. As it turns out, with a consistent five star customer review rating on Amazon, it turns out that its not just trained medical professionals that are fingering this one particular model line as being highly desirable. Now I have reviewed some pretty impressive air cleaning systems. Systems that come real close with a 4.5 rating but this is the only one that I know of that rings the top bell every time with five stars.

Models 50150 & 50250-N are Both Straight Forward Workhorses

Now if you're looking for a unit that comes heavily decorated with lit up convenience features, such as air testing & remote operation, LED lighting, etc, etc, you won't find it here. Yes both the 50150 & 50250-N model have an “Intelicheck” filter sensor to let you know when its time to change the filter but that's pretty much it. You see these two machines are straight forward no nonsense air processing workhorses.

Sensible and Highly Functional Wrap Around barrel Design

To start off with, the sensible round barrel design of the 50150 & 50250-N isn't just for looks, although they are quite attractive in their own right. Rather, the round barrel shape is to accommodate their massive wrap around filter systems that not only covers a huge chunk of territory but they also seal up quite nicely as well. The filters quite literally wrap around the entire outside perimeter of the machines.

Minimal Features - Just Impressively High Numbers

So while other competing similarly priced units might attempt to dazzle you with features and sleek designer looks, these two units impress with their raw real numbers. Figures and numbers that you just won't find in any other units in these price ranges. It's also worth mentioning that neither of the two Honeywell Enviracaire models have air sterilization. However they more then make up for it in virus grabbing air scouring capacity.

Model 50150 Specs and Numbers

The Honeywell Enviracaire model 50150 sells in the area of $160 online. It features a dual filtration system that's made up of a thin non reusable carbon blanket filter and a reusable hepa filter that requires cleaning twice per year. This filter system grabs 99.97% of all suspended ambient air particles down to .03 microns in size. It uses a no nonsense problem free three speed knob for operation and is rated for 235 sq feet, with a CADR of 150 for dust, pollen and tobacco.

Model 50250-N Specs and Numbers

This Honeywell Enviracaire air purifier is basically a scaled up, more powerful version of the above profiled model 50150. The truly amazing thing about this particular unit is that it's rated for a massive 390 sq feet, yet it regularly sells for only $199 online. This is a great choice if you have more then one room to cover or an extra large living space in your home, perhaps with vaulted ceilings. It's CADR numbers of are an impressive 250 for dust, pollen and tobacco smoke.

The F500 Whole House Model - The Beast

There is also a Honeywell Enviracaire air purifier for the whole house. It's their impressive Enviracare Elite that's designed to be permanently installed and connected directly into your homes heating and AC ducting system. This a no nonsense steel cased air scrubbing beast that's relatively simple to install and requires no hard wiring. Just plug it into any 120V socket. It uses a three stage filter system that's made up of a pre-filter, an activated carbon and an advanced hepa filter and it sells for between $700 & $800, depending on features.

Quiet and Portable Enviracaire Quietcare 17000

Heading the opposite direction, you run into the baby of the Enviracaire family. The Enviraciare Queietcare model 17000. It's name is a real giveaway that this units main selling point is its low noise output. Along with its low price of around $130 online, its sq. footage rating and CADR numbers fall way back too. It's rated for 200 sq feet and its CADR numbers are 130 for dust, smoke and pollen so this really is a portable one room unit. Perhaps for a bedroom where its quite operation could be appreciated. Same wrap around dual filter design.

Discover all the differences between the...

• F500 A and F500 B Models

• The F300, the F200 and the F100
  

Honeywell air cleaners for the entire home come in five separate models. The F500A, the F500B the F300, the F200 and their F100. The F500 models are their hepa filter models and they are both identical in their size and specifications save for one difference.

The F500A and the F500B

That is that the F500A is built for mounting an air conditioned environment while the F500B is specified for installation outside of air conditioned environments. I'm only guessing but it seems to me that it all has to do with temperature sensitive mechanisms in the units that monitor their performance.

About Square Footage Ratings

In grading smaller single room air purifiers one of the first items on a checklist would be the square footage rating. That is just how many square feet is a model rated for. In the case of these whole house models you won't find one. They do have a fan in them but there are just too many variables involved in an entire home to come up with one precise figure.

No Hard Wiring Required

Another item worth noting, is that all of these whole house units are operated by way of a completely wireless system. (a wall mounted remote) They also require no hard-wiring. That is that they're powered by a standard 120V plug-in cord that's comes connected to each unit. You simply plug it in.

What About UV Air Sterilization?

Another important aspect worth making note of, is that only one of these these Honewell air cleaners has any type of UV air sterilization system. (the F300) However; if this is something that's important to you it may be worth your time to look into some of the recent studies that have determined that germs die shortly after being trapped on ionic collection treys.

About the F200 Model

So then there must be some other significant differences between these various models of Honeywell air cleaners. There is and for instance, while the F500 models are more complex and feature laden the F200 is their stripped down no fan unit that's designed for installation on forced air heaters and cooling systems up to 5 tons.

No Electrical Hook-Up Required

The two main benefits that this very affordable unit offers is low price ($250) and complete ease of installation. (no electrical hook-up). Rather, it uses electrostatic filter technology to capture particles as small as .03 microns. It also has easy filter access for quick changing. This unit comes ready to adapt to 16” X 20” ducting, so some adaptation may be required.

What it Has to Offer

This really is the perfect unit for someone who isn't in the market for a high performance air cleaner, as say a person with severe allergies might need. The person who's simply interested in seeing their air filtered far better than a standard duct filter is capable of, who also has an eye towards low maintenance and affordability.

Back Up to the F500 Models

Jumping back up to the $700 to $800 F500 models. These really are what you would call enlarged versions of your standard feature laden hepa filter systems, without UV purification systems. They use a three stage filter system that consists of an activated carbon filter, pleated pre-filter and a final hepa filter that captures 99.97% of dust particles down to .03 microns.

The Real Difference Between the F500 A & B

The only real difference between the A and the B model is that the B model comes in an insulated steel cabinet, while the A model cabinet is just plain steel. Also both of the F500 models can be mounted directly in line or out of line with separate ducting because they both have fans that push air. They both also have automatic filter sensor to let your remote know it's time for a change.

Their F300 Ionic Air Cleaner

Honeywell air cleaners F300 model would best be described as large version of a full featured ionic air purifier, complete with UV air sterilization. One thing that I like about this unit, is that it uses a pre-filter to screen out the larger gunk so it doesn't muck up the main filter grid. A nice feature to have on a high volume unit.

Minimal Air Duct Flow Resistance

The F300 which is priced in the area of $400, also comes with a humidifier pad option and a ten year clean coil guarantee. Yet one more benefit of this type of ionic in system air purifier is that because the air easily passes through the grids, it has minimal effect on the overall air duct air pressure.

Their F100 Model

The F100 in the Honeywell air cleaners lineup is for all intents and purposes the exact same unit as their F200 model. There are two note worthy differences though and they are price and the fact that the F100 model does not come with an automatic air filter changing sensor. You can find this unit for sale online for as little as $100.

It's The F200 With No Filter Sensor

That really is pretty cheap and the fact is that under normal conditions, filter changes can be so infrequently needed that going without the automatic filter sensor rally is no big deal. Just remember to change it every few months or so. Also keep in mind that just like the F200, this model uses a folded or (pleated) electrostatically charged filter.

See larger image Hunter QuietFlo Air Purifier, 3 Speeds, 30090 (Kitchen) List Price: $120.00 USD New From: $59.88 In Stock

• Why is model this their #1 seller?

• Are you confused about Hunter Quietflo specs?

• Why the ultra-low $60 price tag?

If you're looking into the Hunter quietflo lineup or any Hunter air purifier for that matter there is a nice handful of issues that you need to be aware of before you get started. Issue number one is the general confusion regarding what they even produce now.

Getting to the Bottom Of Hunter Quietflo Facts

Not all that long ago (2009) the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers listed some sixty-five Hunter air purifiers on their home site. Now that's a heck of a lot of units to sort through. wouldn't you say? So would you believe that Hunter now only produces five models?

They Only Produce Five Quietflos Now

Well it's true and they all of them make up their Quietflo line. Got that? That's five. Not sixty-five. No more Hunter Hepatech line and no more Permalife line. Of course Permalifes and Hepatechs are all still available used and some discount sites still offer some new, which can add to the confusion.

They Now Produce a Total of Just Five Models

The Hunter Quietflo line itself has also been extensively scaled back. Rather then list the models that are no longer in production, for the sake of simplicity I'll just list the models that they still make. Those would be the Quietflo 30085, the Quietflo 30090-(their #1 seller), the Quietflo 30245, the Quietflo 30401 and the Quietflo 30402.

Models With the Wrong Specifications Listed Online

With so many models, most discontinued and five still in production it's easy to understand how some models can be listed online with the wrong performance specs and this particularly holds true with their #1 selling 30090 model. It's a $60 dollar machine, so you just can't expect a whole lot out of it.

Specs for the Hunter Quietflo 30090 Model

Can you just imagine the looks in peoples eyes when the see the low price then read the mistaken specs that have it blowing a CADR of a hunter machine costing three times as much? Well it happens all the time, so to save you from that same fate here are the CADR specs for the 30090. They are 100 pollen, 100 dust and 100 smoke. It's rated for 155 sq feet.

That $60 Price Can Seem Very Attractive

Now granted, these aren't the highest numbers you'll run across when your out grading air purifieres but you have to admit that the $60 price tag can appear at first glance to be a real game changer. You can find palm sized mini wall plug units that cost more than the Hunter Quietflo 30090! Plus it comes with a five year guarantee.

It's the Cost of the Filters that Will Get You

Here's the catch though and can very easily slip right by you. The hepa filter is cleanable but the carbon charged pre-filter has to be changed ou every three months. At around $30 each that comes out to be two times the initial cost of the machine every year! Then there's the $80 annual hepa filter change.

Or You Can Buy a Whole New Machine for Less!!

Now here's where the insanity of this whole Hunter Quietflo lifetime filter replacement plan hits home. You're probably sitting there right now thinking that perhaps you can find some online discount deal on that $80 hepa filter. The fact is that you can! You can buy a whole new Hunter 30090 “complete with filters” for only $60!! Is that crazy or what!!??

See larger image Sharp FP-P40CX Plasmacluster Air Purifier (Kitchen) List Price: $299.99 USD New From: $215.89 In Stock

• What are the best Filter systems?

• What about smoke and odor eradication?

• What about pricing?

• Hepa air cleaners that kill airborne viruses?
  

If ionic air cleaners seem far more advanced to you in a technological sense then hepa air cleaners, they're not. In fact the truth is that ionic technology is around 100 years old, while hepa filters have only been around for about half that time.

Building A-Bombs for a Better World!!

Would you believe that they were developed by the U.S. Government for use during the making of the first atomic bombs during WW2? Well it's the truth! They needed a filter that could trap the fine dust particles of radioactive material.

Now that's Pretty Darned Small!

While there are no official standards to go by, the accepted industry standard is that in order for a filter to be called a hepa filter, it must be able to trap 99.97% of suspended particulate matter of at least .03 microns in diameter. By the way, a micron is one millionth of a meter.

People Just Never Seem to Be Content

So for decades this really seemed good enough for the vast majority of air cleaner buyers, until a couple of decades ago when things began to heat up in the way of competition to increase the efficiency of hepa filter air cleaners. New and better ways to trap particles, smoke, odors and even kill dangerous viruses.

No One Likes a Noisy Hepa Air Cleaner!

You see the challenge with increasing overall efficiency all along, was to find ways to do it without impeding air flow. Simply making an existing filter more dense, meant having to increase the fan size and power to push the air through it. This of course means more noise.

Now Doesn't that Air Smell Nice & Fresh?

So one of the first new developments to come about was a thin carbon fiber pre-filter to help to eliminate smoke and odors. These filters tend to be washable and because they're thin, they also don't impede air flow. Check out Honeywell air purifiers because this company has done a great job in this area.

Superman's Superfilter From the Planet Krypton

Then sometime after that, someone had the bright idea to combine ion and hepa filter technology, to create a super filter of sorts. A filter system that's capable of trapping particles down to a microscopic .01 microns. A way to give particles an ionic charge, so they're better attracted to the hepa filter.

Plasmacluster Technology? - My God! Where Will it all End?!

The Sharp Plasmacluster integrated system is a stellar example of this technology in action. It's everything standard ionic technology is plus a hepa filter. All without the ozone production. On top of it all, you can add air sterilization to the list of benefits that Plasmacluster technology brings to the table. It instantly eradicates viruses.

Quality Always Costs a Little More

Now on the downside, all Sharp hepa air cleaners, which by the way garner consistent 4-5 star Amazon user reviews aren't cheap. Now they aren't exceedingly expensive either, it's just that in their sq. footage and air volume category, they tend to be positioned towards the top in a competitive pricing review.

Even Folks on a Budget Hate Germs

Just because you choose not to pay the extra money for Plasmacluster technology doesn't mean that you have to go without air sterilization though. This is because there is a vast selection of makes and models that use UV radiation to zap viruses, mold and fungus spores.

They Do Just as Good a Job

Don't worry though because hepa air cleaners that use UV radiation are perfectly safe. It's just light radiation that's produced by a mercury vapor lamp inside the machine. They in no way adversely effect the air and UV light waves do a great job of sterilizing the air that they process.

See larger image Honeywell HFD-120-Q Tower HEPAQuiet Air Purifier with Permanent IFD Filter, Black (Kitchen) List Price: $149.99 USD New From: $130.00 In Stock Release date February 15, 2006.

• How do they work to clean air?

• What about Ozone gas?

• What are the pros and cons?

If what you have in mind is a filterless air purifier, then what you should be looking into is ionic technology. These types of air cleaners aren't new and in fact they first began being used in metal smelting plants almost 100 years ago.

The Filterless Air Purifier Uses an Ionic Chamber

The way that they function, is rather then the air passing through a filter as you would imagine in the classic sense, the air passes through what is commonly referred to as an ionic chamber. It's basically a contained area where negative electrons are generated.

Pollution Particles Pick Up a Negative Charge

From there the air moves on through a series of stacked metal plates. It's on these plates that the pollution particles end up being deposited. You see the particles pick up the negative ions and this causes these then negatively charged particles to be attracted to the plates, like magnets.

Even These Machines Have to be Cleaned

Now keep in mind that at some point these plates do have to wiped clean and with some machines this is an easier task then with others. It all depends on how easy it is to remove the plates then slide them back into the machine.

New Filters Can Go Months Without Cleaning

One thing worth noting, is that new hepa filter designs have made for standard filter machines that require far more infrequent cleanings. In fact most of these new low maintenance filter designs can go months without you ever having to touch them. It's something to think about.

There are Some Solid Pros and Cons

You need to also understand that there are a few solid pros and cons that should be taken into account before you buy into either type of air cleaning system. As an example, “for your money”, a standard hepa filter machine is going to process a far greater amount of air.

Look into a Non Ozone Technology Feature

Another thing to look out for if you're dead set on a filterless air purifier, is ozone generation. Ozone is a colorless gas that's made up of two connected oxygen atoms that's generated during the production of negative ions. New machines however do have non ozone technologies that do away with this problem.

Ionic Non Filter Air Cleaners are Quieter

One of the major benefits of a filterless air purifier though, is that they tend to be far more quiet than a filter unit. The reason is simple and that is that hepa filter air cleaners require larger fans to push the air through the filter. There is a huge selection of ionic cleaners to choose from so make sure to select one with features that suit you best.

See larger image Sharp FP-P40CX Plasmacluster Air Purifier (Kitchen) List Price: $299.99 USD New From: $215.89 In Stock

• Amazing New Technology

Sharps innovative and cutting edge Plasmacluster Ion technology has introduced the entire planet to a brand new method for neutralizing airborne viruses and mold spores. A system that is now proving itself invaluable in homes and businesses the world over.

It functions by depleting live viruses and spores of vital hydrogen. They are instantly dehydrated. It accomplishes this by way of hydroxyl production, a secondary byproduct of the production of both positive and negative ions in the same reaction vessel.

You see hydrogen is the second and third molecule in the H2O matrix that you of course know as water. Once the two hydrogen molecules are removed in the Plasmacluser contained reaction chamber, all that remains is the oxygen molecule.

So as the live virus' and spore are effectively killed by instant dehydration, pure oxygen is being created. In this way this innovative system is actually replicating the earths natural atmospheric oxygen generation and air purification processes.

• Airborne Viruses it Instantly Kills
  

Viruses: MRSA – E Coli – Influenza (including Swine Flu) – Poliomyelitis – Tuberculosis – Common Cold – Pertussis (Whooping cough) – Streptococcus (Pneumonia) – Strep – Typhus – Rubella (German Measles) – SARS – Variola (Small Pox) – Corynebacterium Diphtheriae (Diphtheria)

• Air Particles and Gasses it Functions to Eliminate

Tobacco Smoke, Mold Spores, Formaldehyde, Pollen, Dust, Pet Odors, Exhaust Fumes, Formaldehyde, Ambient Cooking Oils, Micro Textile Fibers

• Looking Inside the Integrated System

Plasmacluster technology is but one component of a technologically advanced, completely integrated, multi-layered air purification system. As part of its function, it imparts an actual electrical charge to airborne particles that allows them to far more readily adhere to the secondary hepa filter grid.

• Maintaining Ionic Balance

This new advanced system contains a built in atmospheric monitoring system that automatically adjust the flow rate of negative ions. In the natural environment, negative and positive ions are kept in a healthy natural balance.

However; in a contained environment such as a home, they can become unbalanced, with one being in greater concentration then the other. This system insures that the ionic balance in the air you breath will always be exactly neutral.

If you're like most newbies, you need an air purifier so you set out to buy. Air purification information hits you like a swirling storm though. So many different types. So many different new technologies and so many sizes and features. How can you decide?

What are Your Actual Air Cleaning Needs?

The first thing that you need to do is calm down and keep things in perspective. Then you must decide what your real needs are. Are you suffering from acute allergies for instance, or are you simply looking to cut down on the dust level in your home? Is there a smoker in your home?

Don't Buy Air Purifier System You Don't Need You

The last thing that you want to do is go at it from the other direction. That is to become bedazzled by the technology, size and features and make an impulse buy. Do this and you may be stuck with a unit that is less or more than what you really needed.

Are You Suffering From Allergies?

Now if your situation is acute. For instance, if you're looking for some serious relief from allergies, smoke and pet odors then you will want to pay close attention to the number that indicates the minimum particle size that an air cleaner will capture.

A Micron is One Millionth of a Meter

Most go as far down as .03 microns, while the more exacting units with more advanced filtration systems go as far down as particles of .01 microns. Now bear in mind that the more advanced the filters and systems, the more there is to be cleaned and maintained.

Is it Your Goal to Just to Eliminate Dust in Your Home?

This is why if your goal is to simply eliminate dust in your home for aesthetic purposes, you might be better served by looking into a machine with a more straight forward filtration system. A .03 micron filter system. Are you now beginning to see why before you buy, air purifier information is so critical?

Then What About Convenience Features?

Well hold on because it gets even worse. Take convenience and air sterilization features, as fine examples. Take a look around online and you can find any number of units that are completely loaded down with every type of feature you can imagine. You can have all of them if you want!

Can You Get Along Without Convenience Feature Options?

Timers, sensors, LED control panel automatic this and automatic that. So there you are left scratching your head and wondering just what you actually need and what you can do without. To make matters worse, you click to a site and there is a top of the line unit that comes with no features at all. Just a straight forward air cleaner!

Some Top Rated Units Have No Features At All

The fact is that when it comes down to it, you really don't need any extra features at all and with the exception of an illness, you don't need air sterilization either. The Blueair 402 is a fine example of a stripped down air purifier that basically comes with just an on off button and five fan settings.

You Don't Need Features to Clean a Lot of Air

It's a 40 pound, steel cased air cleaning beast that garners consistent 4-5 star amazon user reviews. Because it has no snazzy convenience features, it also has a low comparative price (you pay for features) and an unheard of ten year guarantee. Hey! No features equals no problems.

Then Again Some Folks Just Must Have Them

Then again, if you're the type of person who simply must know at any given time the actual pollution level in your home, there are any number of models to accommodate you. Need LED lighting and automatic fan adjustment? That's no problem either. Or what about ultraviolet air sterilization? That's no problem either.

Once Again Before You Buy, Air Purifier Info is Helpful

Now another number that you're going to come across, is the square footage rating. Once again, before you buy, air purifier information is critical because there is no government standard regulation these numbers. Each manufacturer decides them on their own and your own particulars also factor in heavily.

Do You Live on a Dusty Horse Ranch?

For instance if your home is well sealed and there isn't that much pollution to clean, you can get away with using a unit that isn't rated all the way up to your square footage. On the other hand, if you live on a dusty horse ranch and suffer from severe allergies you may want to buy a unit with a higher square footage rating.